Vorokhta Settlement Community

Ivano-Frankivsk
Population:

Vorokhta is one of the highland communities of Ukraine. It is located at the foot of Mount Hoverla – Ukraine’s highest mountain with a height of 2,061 m.

The total area of the territory is 274.2 km/2
The population is 6,100 people.
Internally displaced persons as of January 25, 2023: 4,975.

The community includes two population centres.

History

The Vorokhta territorial community includes the settlement of Vorokhta (administrative centre) and the village of Tatariv. A significant part of the territory of the Carpathian National Nature Park is located within the community.

It is situated on the Prut River at an altitude of 850 meters above sea level. The settlement is surrounded by mountains and forests on almost all sides.

The settlement was founded in 1568 by Vasyl Yanyuk, who left his native village of Kosmach with his livestock.

There are numerous architectural and historical church monuments, railway bridges and various museums in the Vorokhta community.

The largest stone railway bridge is located in the settlement of Vorokhta. The length of the bridge is 130 m. The graceful bend of the viaduct connects the two banks of the Prut River. It was built in 1895 by Italian captured soldiers.

Stone bridge
Stone bridge Source
Old photos of Tatariv and Vorokhta
Old photos of Tatariv and Vorokhta Source
Old photos of Tatariv and Vorokhta
Old photos of Tatariv and Vorokhta Source

Economy and Welfare

Tourism is a priority area of the community’s economic development. There are 300 hotel establishments operating on the territory of the community.

At the beginning of the war, the technological enterprise “Robotics Engineering” was relocated from Irpin to Tatariv. It manufactures automated welding robots.

Robotic complexes contribute to productivity of welding and metal processing. Robotics is a partner of Panasonic Robot & Welding Europe in Ukraine. Its main capabilities include:

  • robotization/automation of specific production processes;
  • execution of welding tests;
  • manufacture, delivery, installation, configuration and start-up of the robotic complex, etc.
Engineering enterprise
Engineering enterprise "Robotics"

Tourism is a priority area of economic development of the community. The region’s natural resource potential, favourable geographical location and rich cultural heritage are important prerequisites for the development of the hospitality industry. In addition, considerable attention is paid to the preservation of ecology and historical and cultural heritage.

The tourist aspect of the community
The tourist aspect of the community

Numerous hotels, recreation centres, guest houses, sanatoriums, green tourism estates, restaurants, cafes, traditional huts, souvenir markets, bicycle and ski equipment rental offices operate on the territory of the community.

The territory is rich in various hiking routes, ecological and educational trails, recreational areas and bicycle routes of various levels of difficulty. It is from Vorokhta that the ascent to the highest peak of the Ukrainian Carpathians – Hoverla (2,061 m) – begins.

There are signposts and tourist information stands in Ukrainian and English in the streets of Vorokhta.

This became possible thanks to the victory of the project entitled “Promotion of historical and cultural heritage in the settlement of Vorokhta through the creation of a road tourist navigation system” in the competition to support the initiatives of local Carpathian communities organized by the Association of Local Self-Governing Bodies “Euroregion – Carpathians-Ukraine”.

The main locations, time and distance at which the objects are located are indicated on the tourist information stands. In addition, the geolocation of the person is shown on the schematic map.

Signs and stands will help tourists understand what is located in the village and its exact location.

Information stands
Information stands Source

Vorokhta is a well-known centre for training athletes and holding competitions in ski jumping and ski duelling. There is a complex of springboards and a sports school for winter sports here.

Community and War

Since the beginning of the war, the Vorokhta community has provided refuge for more than 5,000 internally displaced persons. There were three free shelters in the community – two kindergartens in Vorokhta and Tatariv and the “Mountain Air” sanatorium. Orphans and children deprived of parental care from the city of Kharkiv were evacuated to the “Smerichka” sanatorium.

Children from orphanages of the Kharkiv region underwent a medical examination in Vorokhta
Children from orphanages of the Kharkiv region underwent a medical examination in Vorokhta Source

Ambassador of the UN Fund Khrystyna Katrakis organized a powerful humanitarian centre in Vorokhta, which provides assistance to internally displaced persons (food kits, hygiene products, clothing, medicines). 

People of the Community

The community is headed by Oleg Dzemyuk. In 2015, he was elected as Head of Tatariv, and in 2020 – as Head of the newly formed Vorokhta territorial community.

Vorokhta Settlement Head Oleh Dzemyuk
Vorokhta Settlement Head Oleh Dzemyuk

He initiated the creation of two volunteer centres – “Your home – your support” in Vorokhta and “Tatariv Charm” in Tatariv. They have been operating in the community since the beginning of the war. Volunteers provide aid to the Armed Forces of Ukraine from the community.

Development Strategy

The development strategy of the Vorokhta territorial community for 2022-2027 was approved by the settlement council on February 10, 2022.

Development priorities of the Vorokhta community:

  1. Development of the tourist and recreational sphere.
  2. Education and entrepreneurship.
  3. Creation of comfortable and safe living conditions for residents of the community and tourists
Session meeting
Session meeting

List of Sources

  1. Vorokhta
  2. Tatariv
If you want to contact an Ukrainian community or have additional questions regarding the project please contact us: [email protected]